EP SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY-REVEL ACCESS
EP SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY-REVEL ACCESS
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780134700656
Author: ARONSON
Publisher: PEARSON CO
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 11, Problem 1RQ1
Summary Introduction

Introduction

Altruism consists of the motivation to help someone else, even if it comes at a cost to the one doing the helping. Sometimes people's helpful acts can stem more from self-interest, which involves hoping to receive something in return for their assistance. However, true altruism is when one's sole motivation for helping derives from a pure drive to benefit someone else, with no particular benefit to themselves.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Correct answer and explanation

The best answer is (C), in which the best example of altruism involves Jawal donating money to a homeless shelter anonymously. Altruism involves the motivation to help other people, even when it comes at an expense to the one doing the helping. One's sole motivation for helping is to benefit someone else, with no benefit to themselves. Jawal's case of anonymously donating money to a shelter would qualify as altruism not only because his main drive was to help others but also due to the fact that he did not announce that he was doing so, thus indicating that he was not expecting anything in return.

Explanation for incorrect statements

Option (A) refers to Julia putting money in the church collection basket along with everyone else. However, this action would not qualify as altruism because, while it does come at some cost to herself, it occurred because she was simply doing what everyone else was doing. So, option (a) is incorrect.

Option (B) refers to Robert volunteering at his son's school to help his class. However, this scenario would actually be more akin to kin selection, which involves behaviors that aid a biological relative and are favored by natural selection. So, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (D) refers to Mary helping her husband with the dishes while hoping this will encourage him to make dinner more often. However, this situation would not count as altruism because Mary's assistance stems from self-interest. She hopes that her helpful action will be rewarded. So, option (d) is incorrect.

Therefore, the options (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
describe the major milestones such as puberty influence development of adolescence into adulthood.
Changes in treatment approaches, new legislation, and funding for increased community resources, combined with a changing viewpoint about the desirability of restrictive settings, led to hospitalization. True or False?
Honesty is defined as being straight with oneself and with others, not being self-protective or self-indulgent at the expense of others, disclosing one’s being, not rationalizing, and not deceiving oneself or others. True or False
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Text book image
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON